Though the third book in this series, Caught Between the Embers acts as a bit of a prequel as it tells the story of Davyna’s – the main character in the rest of the books – parents.
As a result it gives great background and history to the series as it details a lot of the strife the courts have endured in the past and the battles that have taken place leading up to the state of things in the present timeline. It fills in more of the world and its details which I really enjoyed because it was very interesting to learn more about the world created in this series, and not least to learn more of where Davyna came from considering she knows so little about herself and where she came from.
Nyna and Ezekiel, the point of view characters of this book are complex and interesting to get to know. I particularly liked that we got both of their points of view in this story as it felt essential to getting both sides of the war from each perspective and to watch as they come together to work against a different threat entirely. Seeing the chemistry between them was another highlight and had me desperate to see them give into it from the first moment they butted heads. Ezekiel is a complicated man, dark and by no means a good person, and seeing him battling his personal demons and come to terms with the horrible acts he has committed made him feel like such a real character coming alive. Nyna is so fierce and independent that I couldn’t help but love her strength and fortitude in fighting for her people.
There are also some familiar faces that make appearances which were really cool to see in a different light. Without going into names, there were a number of characters that appear in, and are even a large part of the main series with Davyna and getting to see them so many years earlier in their lives gave some insight into who they were and what they had been through. I really enjoyed these little glimpses as it was a nice surprise to see the characters you’ve grown to love in the present timeline so long before those events take place.
The story of course is bittersweet. While seeing how these two characters come together and form a bond is so heartwarming, the fact of the matter is that if you’ve read the previous two books in the series, you know how their story ends. Having this knowledge looming over the story made it all the more heartbreaking because the relationship is so beautiful to watch forming for such an inevitable end.
The ending left me very much looking forward to the final book and the rest of the answers I expect to come about Davyna and everything taking place in the world in the present. This was a very enjoyable and informative read and much to my own surprise, I became deeply invested in learning of Nyna and Ezekiel’s story. Caught Between the Cinders took me pleasantly by surprise and brought my back to my love for this world.
